Assessing the Impact of Virtualizing Physical Labs
This addresses the effectiveness of virtual labs for distance learning students in biology education, but it is incremental as it builds on existing trends in online education.
The study compared virtual lab training via Skype with conventional face-to-face preparation for a biology microscopy experiment, finding preliminary evidence on whether virtual labs improve distance learning quality and serve as a valuable supplement.
Virtual laboratories are the new online educational trend for communicating to students practical skills of science. In this paper we report on a comparison of techniques for familiarizing distance learning students with a 3D virtual biology laboratory, in order to prepare them for their microscopy experiment in their physical wet lab. Initial training for these students was provided at a distance, via Skype. Their progress was assessed through Pre and Post-tests and compared to those of students who opted to only prepare for their wet lab using the conventional face-to-face educational method, which was provided for all students. Our results provide preliminary answers to questions such as whether the incorporation of a virtual lab in the educational process will improve the quality of distance learning education and whether a virtual lab can be a valuable educational supplement to students enrolled in laboratory courses on Biology.